CPA5 briefing online : 15/06/2010 :

The Pharmacy Guild has placed a member only multi-media (video and powerpoint) presentation on the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement on its website.

The presentation, by National President Kos Sclavos, was produced for the benefit of Guild members who were unable to attend any of the live roadshows conducted around Australia.

(Guild members) watch it here.

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Sweet dreams (not?) caption competition : 15/06/2010 :

This photograph, taken in a Coles supermarket, was sent in to us by long-time contributor Kevin de Vries.

AusPharm has reached into its prize bag and has one of our select, limited edition 4GB flash drives  to give away to the subscriber who comes up with the best caption for this photo. (Click the image to see a larger version).

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RGH E-Bulletin: Update on restless legs syndrome : 15/06/2010 :

The topic of this RGH E‑Bulletin is Update on restless legs syndrome.

• an urge to move the legs, accompanied or caused by uncomfortable unpleasant sensations in the legs
• the urge to move, or unpleasant sensations beginning or worsening during periods of inactivity, such as sitting or lying
• the urge to move or unpleasant sensations partially or totally relieved by movement such as walking or stretching
• the urge to move or unpleasant sensations worsening or only occurring in the evening or night."

Click here to read the bulletin in full. The E‑Bulletins are archived on the AusPharmList website here.

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Union weighs in on pharmacist / tech ratio : 15/06/2010 :

Employee pharmacist union PDA weighed into the debate on pharmacist / dispensing tech ratio over the weekend, with PDA president Geoff March saying that  "consumers deserve to get value for money for their taxes spent on prescription dispensing fees - they should expect to be counselled and offered a CMI by their pharmacist."

The union pointed out that the Pharmacy Board of Australia's proposed guideline has been in operation in Victoria for a number of years without any impact on business viability and says it is disappointing the Pharmacy Guild is trying to have the guidelines deferred.

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Two pharmacists receive QB honours : 15/06/2010 :

Two pharmacists received the award of Medal of the Order of Australia in yesterday's Queen's Birthday honours list.

Pitt Town, NSW pharmacist Edgar Small received his award for service to pharmacy, and to the community.

Yepoon, Qld pharmacist Duncan Stewart received his for for service to the community of Yeppoon, and to pharmacy.

(Are there others that we've missed?)

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TGA seeking final input from compounding pharmacies : 11/06/2010 :

The National Coordinating Committee on Therapeutic Goods (NCCTG) is inviting pharmacists to provide information on their current compounding practices to assist in the finalisation of the NCCTG's proposals to update regulatory arrangements around extemporaneous compounding.

The NCCTG's aim is to develop an appropriate regulatory response to the changes in the practice of pharmacy that have occurred over recent years.

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NPS: talk to your doctor or pharmacist about NSAIDs : 11/06/2010 :

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) issued a statement yesterday informing consumers that media reports warning against NSAID use may be exaggerating the risks.  

According to NPS, the research is broadly consistent with existing information about NSAIDs and their cardiovascular effects.

“This is an interesting and complex study that deserves careful interpretation,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

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Pharmacists confident with chloro preps : 11/06/2010 :

This week's AusPharm poll asked 'listers whether they were confident in their approach to the supply of the recently down schedules ocular chloramphenicol products.

The result tells us that, overwhelmingly, pharmacists do feel well able to evaluate when it is appropriate to supply a chloramphenicol product.

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Asthma Action Plan the go : 10/06/2010 :

With winter looming, the National Asthma Council Australia has highlighted the latest asthma death toll statistics as an urgent wake up call for Australians to take asthma seriously.

According to the new data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 449 people died from asthma in 2008.

According to National Asthma Council Australia Chair, Dr Noela Whitby AM, “We can’t cure asthma but it can be controlled with asthma medication and by following an up to date written asthma action plan.”

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Guild concerned too : 10/06/2010 :

The Pharmacy Guild said yesterday that it too had concerns about the new dispensing guidelines, including the proposed pharmacist / tech ratio.

In a communication to members yesterday afternoon it said the timeline for consultation and implementation of the proposed guidelines was too short and flagged its intention to call for their implementation to be deferred pending further consultation.

The Guild says it will outline its concerns in detail to the Board in a written response to the proposed guidelines.

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Flu vaccines won't give you flu : 10/06/2010 :

Fluarix flu vaccine manufacturer GSK will today release the results of a GSK Health Index survey which found that nearly one in five Australians will not get the flu shot this year, because they incorrectly believe it will give them the flu.

The survey polled 1006 Australians, investigating their attitudes and behaviours regarding flu and found Australians are not only skipping the shot because they incorrectly think they can get the flu from it, but 40% don’t see it as a priority, and 38% don’t believe in the flu shot.

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Nurofen OK says Reckitt Benckiser : 10/06/2010 :

In response to research released yesterday that suggests diclofenac carries the same cardiovascular risks as rofecoixib (Vioxx) the manufacturer of Nurofen, Reckitt Benckiser, put out a statement (at 1.30AM this morning) pointing out that the authors of the study concluded that they only found a “small trend” for increase in cardiovascular risk associated with ibuprofen therapy at higher doses.

According to Reckitt Benckiser, it takes the safety of medicines very seriously and "reassures Australian consumers that ibuprofen, when taken according to the directions on the pack, is an appropriate short-term treatment for pain relief for the majority of people".

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Review of PSA Code of Professional Conduct : 09/06/2010 :

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has commenced a review of its Code of Professional Conduct. 

A Code Review Working Group, chaired by Dr Shane Jackson, and a panel of expert advisors have been established who will initially assess gaps in the current code arising, for example, from changes in legislation, changes to the health-care landscape, or the evolution of professional pharmacy practice.

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PSA opens CPD recording to non members : 09/06/2010 :

From July 1, National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) comes into effect which will have a marked impact on the way pharmacists are required to record their continuing professional development activities.

Under the NRAS, all registered pharmacists (except those registered in a non-practising category) will be required to complete continuing professional development (CPD) which is relevant to their scope of practice. 

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PHARMeFOOTY weekly wrap : 09/06/2010 :

AFL Round 11 marks the halfway stage and was a good round with 6 tippers selecting the 8 winners. Peter Trembath from Waterfall Gully Pharmacy was closest to the margin and is this week’s winner, congratulation Peter! In second place was Emi Hewitt of Kings Langley Pharmacy with Kwing Wong from Medicross in 3rd spot.

NRL Round 13 saw just the one tipper select all 8 winners correctly. Noella Korneha from Medicare Australia had the perfect round and takes out the weekly prize, well done Noella! In 2nd place was John Bassett from Auscare Pharmacy with Michael Inglis of Malouf Group taking 3rd spot.

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Poll: my experience with ocular chloramphenicol so far : 09/06/2010 :

Ocular chloramphenicol has now been S3 (pharmacist only) for almost 6 weeks.

Many 'listers have taken the opportunity to do AusPharm's CE activity on Conjunctivitis to familiarise themselves with the relevant treatment issues and, presumably, many have also has a look at PSA's protocol for supply of these products.

What's been your experience with these products to date? Are you confident in your approach to supply? Please let us know by voting in this week's AusPharm poll.

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Australian statins too expensive? : 08/06/2010 :

The authors of a study published in the current issuse of the Medical Journal of Australia estimate that if PBS pricing policies on generic statins were closer to the English model, taxpayers would have saved almost $1 billion for the period January 2005 to October 2009.

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PAC10 looks at the imperative for change in pharmacy practice : 08/06/2010 :

Pharmacy practice must shift its primary mission from supplying medicines to helping people make the best use of medicines in order to meet the needs of the public and ensure its survival as a health profession.

This is the view of leading US pharmacy expert Professor William A. Zellmer who will present on the topic of The Imperative for Change in Pharmacy Practice at PAC10 in October this year.

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Rural pharmacists need support too : 08/06/2010 :

Following advice issued by the tax office last week that rural incentive payments to rural doctors will not, as first proposed, be subject to an up front 46.5% tax, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has declared that the decision should not be limited just to doctors.

Hinting that the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance should receive the same treatment, PSA President Warwick Plunkett said the decision was clear recognition of the importance of incentives in attracting health professionals to rural areas.

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Woolies lets pharmacy trademarks go : 08/06/2010 :

In a move finalised late last week Woolworths has let its registration of the trademarks Pharmacist at Woolworths and Pharmacist @ at Woolworths lapse.

Can it be that the company has given up hope of establishing in house pharmacies?

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